H.B. Smith Star

The U.S.-made Star bicycle, introduced in 1881, represents one of the more unusual responses to the safety risks that the high-wheeled Ordinary posed.

In essence, this machine was a “reversed” Ordinary, with a large 49-inch (124 cm) driving wheel at the back, and a small 22-inch (56 cm) steering wheel at the front.

Having the small wheel in front made headers less likely, while having the center of gravity between the wheels offered better lateral balance. There is in fact a famous picture of a Star being ridden down the steps of the U.S. Capitol, which is something no one would attempt on a regular Ordinary.

The riding position on the Star made the use of normal pedals and cranks impossible. Instead, once you managed to mount the Star, you pedalled down on the levers beneath the saddle. The levers pulled a leather strap wrapped around the hub, and this is what powered the front wheel. At the bottom of the stroke, when the strap reached its end, the ratchet mechanism in the hub disengaged. A spring then rewound the strap, pulling the pedal back up again.

This drive arrangement made for a peculiar pedalling experience because the spring was not strong enough to lift both the pedal and your foot back up. So you had to lift your foot off each pedal after each stroke, which could be very tiring on a long ride.

On the other hand, the two pedals were independent of each other, so for extra power on a hill, or for a quick getaway, you could press on both pedals at once!

Though it was steadier than a regular Ordinary, the Star still had some elements you had to keep in mind. Because there was so little weight on the small front wheel, steering was uncertain, and especially tricky on loose gravel. Slipping sideways on wet pavement was another potential danger. And although it was difficult to go over the handlebars, if you were unlucky, this bike could still tip over backwards.